Psalm 27/Commentary

Psalm 27

“My Light and My Salvation” This psalm appears to have been written in the context of a crisis. The writer has been faced with the “wicked”, with “enemies”, “foes”, and fears a hostile “army” and “war” itself may again threaten. There are “false witnesses” who “breathe out violence”.

Whom Shall I Fear?

27:1 “The Lord is my light”: “Light is a natural figure for almost everything that is positive, from truth and goodness to joy and vitality (Psalm 43:3; Isaiah 5:20; Psalm 97:11; 36:9)….Here is the answer to fear and to the forces of evil.

These are not underrated: the stronghold, or refuge, is a reminder that they may threaten one’s very life” (Kidner p. 120). The term light can suggest guidance, purity, joy, true life, and hope, among other things. David may be saying that even in the darkness of the terrible threat of war or persecution, he has no fear, for God is the light that can dispel such fearful darkness.

Point to Note: Even during terrible times, we can have hope. In addition, in such times we have the confidence that God has given us the guidance in His word which we need (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). God is light (1 John 1:5), therefore we can have the confidence that God is always working for our best spiritual interest. Such a God also offers David salvation, which means that the forces of evil can never really get the better of David if he remains true to God. 27:1 “Whom shall I fear?”: Good question! Jesus and Paul both echoed the same truth (Matthew 10:28; Romans 8:31). What this means is that trust in God, the acceptance that God is just as powerful as He claims to be—dispels all fears. If we are afraid of something to the point that our service to God is being compromised or hindered (Mark 4:19), what this means is that we are convinced that there are problems bigger and more powerful than God. 27:1 “The Lord is the defense of my life”: Infers that David’s enemies were very real and David needed a true stronghold. The purpose of the stronghold is to protect those who seek refuge. Everyone will need such a stronghold in life!

What is your place of safety?

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27:2 Here the enemy is pictured as a pack of hunting animals. David wasn’t naïve and neither was his faith. He knew the power and abilities of his enemies.

But David has found that such enemies in the end have stumbled and been unable to really harm him. Their evil plans have backfired on them.

27:3 Being a soldier, David had often been in this situation (1 Samuel 23:26f), surrounded by the enemy and vastly outnumbered. David remains confident, not because of his own abilities, he isn’t trusting in himself, but rather confidence comes from the right perspective, that is, God rules this world. “The word for ‘confident’ here means ‘to feel secure, be unconcerned’” (Williams p. 209).

Point to Note: “Faith or fear—these are our ultimate options” (Williams p. 209). As we grow older and face hardships and trials, are we moving toward faith or are we moving toward fear, doubt, and uncertainty? As we move towards our departure from this life, do we become nervous, or, is our attitude, “My bags are packed. I’m ready to go”?

Sanctuary 27:4 “One thing I have asked”: What is our one consuming desire? “Today, single-mindedness is not always admired as a virtue. The media frequently criticize single-issue politicians and single-issue pressure groups. People devoted to a cause may be viewed as bigoted or narrow-minded” (Williams p.

207). David had one consuming passion which enabled him to handle difficult times. “As in the well-known Psalm 23:6, this is not an ambition to be a priest or Levite but to enjoy the constant presence of God….Note the singleness of purpose (one thing)---the best answer to distracting fears…to behold and to inquire; a preoccupation with God’s Person and His will. It is the essence of worship” (Kidner pp. 120-121).

27:4 “That I may dwell in the house of the Lord”: When David was alive the “house of the Lord” was the tabernacle, for the temple hadn’t been erected yet.

David would love to be able to worship God constantly. In addition, there may be a desire here to be in God’s heavenly house. To long for the house of God is to long for God Himself (Matthew 6:33).

27:4 “To behold the beauty of the Lord”: Do we find God beautiful? Do we consider His standards to be attractive? Are we impressed with God’s moral attributes? The term “beauty” means “delightfulness or pleasantness”. God’s

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beauty includes the expression of His goodness to His people (16:11; 90:17), as well as all His other attributes.

Point to Note: Is this our attitude? Do we long to worship God with other believers? Do we love everything connected with God, such as His temple today, the Church?

When we are assembled with other Christians, when we are worshipping on the first day of the week, do we long to leave, or long to stay a little longer? When we observe communion, sing, pray, hear His word proclaimed, and give, do we see God’s beauty? David not only loved God, but David loved the physical and tangible expressions of worship. David loved the tabernacle, he loved the worship services, anything connected with God he embraced. Is this our attitude?

27:4 “And to meditate in His temple”: How often do we dwell on spiritual and eternal realities? How much mental energy do we save for the really important thing of life? (Philippians 4:8). The side reference on the word “meditate” is “inquire”. In order to ask the questions necessary to find the answers, we must first have our minds in God’s book.

27:5-6 These verses clarify the relation between seeking the Lord and the occasion. The psalmist seeks the Lord in his “trouble”; and whenever adversities arise. The trouble under consideration may be an impending battle.

Before David goes into battle, he places his trust in God. David feels protected and that God has hidden him in his tabernacle. He further likens this protection by being placed high upon a rock. Do we rejoice in God’s protection? When unbelievers see us encountering trials, do they see nervous people or confident people?

Point to Note: David didn’t place all his trust in his abilities, the size of his army or military hardware of the day. In what or whom are we trusting? That is, what really makes you feel safe and secure in this life? Is it your relationship with God? Or, is it money, material possessions, good health, etc…? All of us have a mental stronghold, that is, we say to ourselves, “As long as I have______ I am safe”.

“Worship is no escape from battle, but it equips us for battle” (Williams p. 211).

Notice the robust worship in verse 6---are we this appreciative when we worship? Please note, if we aren’t willing to risk anything for God, then our worship will be apathetic. One reason why we should confront our fears and preach the word in season and out of season, is that only then can we see and realize that God will come through for us. Don’t be surprised if services are dull for you, if you are playing it safe when it comes to letting your light shine.

Thy Face—Thy Way

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27:7-8 “The triumphant scene (27:6) just pictured is still to come; meanwhile there is little sign of God’s favor or that of anyone else. David gets back to the ‘one thing’ he has set his heart upon (4), and holds on to the fact that the first move, after all, has come from God” (Kidner p. 121). Note in verse 8, David’s heart immediately obeys the teachings in Scripture. When God commands something, David immediately complies. One of the commands to seek the Lord is found in Psalm 34:15-16. “To seek the face of the Lord is another way of saying to seek His favor”. Here is seeking God, here is yearning and thirsting for God. Point to Note: Are we willing to put this much effort into having a relationship with God? How many people assume that a relationship with God should be effortless and that everything should be just handed to us? But worship is work! David is crying out to God, pleading for mercy, and is very earnest.

27:9 David knew that God had a right to reject him, because David like anyone else had sinned (Romans 3:23). David doesn’t pray that God would simply look the other way, rather, David realizes that God will be merciful to people to humble themselves, repent, and ask for His forgiveness. Do we take our own sins so seriously that we are afraid of God forsaking us? Maybe if we really took to heart the fact that God does forsake the wicked and will not hear their prayers, we might have a greater abhorrence of evil.

27:10 “For my father and my mother have forsaken me”: This can happen in various ways. First, our parents will eventually die and will not longer be around to give us any help for comfort. Secondly, Jesus noted that the faithful will be rejected by their own family members (Matthew 10:35-37). Thirdly, if our parents knew all the sins that we have committed, they would probably forsake us. Beyond their breaking-point the love of God would still persist. David didn’t place all his trust in parental help, for he knew that they are human. “The love of God transcends every human standard; it is greater than the love of father and mother” (Gaebelein p. 246). Let us not be intimidated by human opinion or peer pressure. For God will take us up, protect us, and own us, when all others have forsaken us.

27:11 “Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a level path”: David needs wisdom! (James 1:5) David knows that He needs the guidance and wisdom which only God can provide and which are given to us in the Scriptures (John 6:44-45). He also realizes that God’s favor doesn’t rest upon people who depart from His will (Matthew 7:21; 2 John 9). “David is not only a worshipper seeking God’s face (8); he is a pilgrim committed to His way (11), every step of it contested. He is very much in the world, and the prayer for a level path is not for comfort (no problems), but for sure progress (as a moral term it implies what is right, or straight) when the merest slip would be exploited” (Kidner p. 121).

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Point to Note: If we can’t get motivated to study the Scriptures as we should, maybe we need to sit back and take a good look at the enemies, trials, obstacles, and temptations that are presently surrounding us or which will surround us! Life isn’t going to get any easier!

27:12 “The submissiveness of the psalmist to God’s guidance is quite contrastive to the treachery and violence of the ungodly” (Gaebelein p. 247).

Like David, many Christians have found that they are very unpopular with the world. Sometimes we really forget how much elements in the world absolutely hate God, His standards and His people (John 15:18-19; Matthew 7:6).

Believe and Wait 27:13 “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living”: The “land of the living” is Israel right now, not some future life. What kept David going was his faith and hope in God. But can we wait, or do we demand deliverance right now? How little true waiting most of us really do. We tend to want instant relief, we don’t want to spend our days crying out for deliverance, praying, meditating on the Word, looking for wisdom and guidance.

27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage”: David is here speaking to himself. He couldn’t deliver himself, so there are no other options, only God can deliver Him. Instead of giving up, despairing, becoming cynical, or becoming just as evil and bitter as the people attacking you, David waited for God’s timing. Are we allowing God to rule our lives, or do we insist that God cooperate with our schedules? God is worth waiting for—and that is enough for David.

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